From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 4: "It was our government that helped Sevalal Mutt, it was our government that celebrated Sevalal Jayanti, it was our government that converted Tandas into revenue villages," said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday.

He made these remarks while inaugurating Banjara Bhawan, constructed as part of the association's Golden Jubilee celebrations, organized by Karnataka Pradesh Banjara (Lambani) Seva Sangh in collaboration with Karnataka Tanda Development Corporation.

Siddaramaiah stressed the importance of education in achieving independence and escaping exploitation. He said, "For thousands of years, we were all deprived of a culture of literacy. After the arrival of the British, educational opportunities opened up. Thanks to Dr. B.R Ambedkar, education became a basic right for all those who were deprived. This is why we all need to be educated. Education makes us self-respecting. If you have self-respect, you can escape from exploitation."

The Chief Minister listed several contributions made by the Congress government for the development of the Banjara community. He mentioned, "We initiated the process of converting Tandas into revenue villages. But the BJP is claiming that they did our work. The state of the BJP is like the old saying, 'Attikkidavaringinta Bottikkidavaru Melu.'"

A budget of Rs 275 crore was allocated for the development of the Banjara community. Siddaramaiah assured that he would allocate funds for other demands, including a Sevalal residential school, in a phased manner in the coming days.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar inaugurated the program, while Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Rudrappa Manappa Lamani unveiled the statue of Sewalal. Social welfare minister Dr H C Mahadevappa inaugurated the Banjara Handicraft Exhibition. Several dignitaries, including MLC Prakash Rathod, MLAs Nemiraja Naik and Avinash Jadhav, Banjara Seva Sangh's general secretary H B Siddya Naik, former MLA B T Lalitha Nayak, CM's political secretary Govidaraju, were also present at the event.